Press Release

HHS Awards Additional $6
Million to Help States and Cities Fight West Nile Virus

HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson announced today that the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will award over $6 million to 14
states and two cities hit hardest by the West Nile virus, and the federal
government continues to provide technical and scientific support to states
and communities in need of assistance.

The $6 million is part of the $14 million that was made available to
states earlier this month to help them strengthen their efforts to combat
the virus and is to be available immediately.

CDC will ensure its expertise, technical support, and other pertinent
resources are fully available to states as they deal with the spread of
the virus. The CDC has deployed 20 epidemiologists and other clinicians to
Louisiana, Mississippi, and Arkansas.

"We are joined with state and local health departments in this
battle against the West Nile virus," Secretary Thompson said.
"These funds will assist states and cities with programs that monitor
the spread of West Nile virus and improve their capability to protect
their citizens."

This money brings total CDC funding to states and cities for West Nile
virus so far this year to more than $31 million. CDC has provided
approximately $54 million to states, cities, and territories since West
Nile virus was first detected in the United States in 1999.

"West Nile virus is rapidly emerging this summer in previously
unaffected areas and human illness is occurring earlier than in previous
years, we wanted funds immediately available to support the public health
community as it works to combat the impact of the virus," said Dr.
Julie Gerberding, CDC director. These funds are intended for activities
deemed the highest priority by states to help control and prevent human
disease from West Nile virus.

West Nile virus activity has been reported in 41 states and the
District of Columbia. As of August 28, 480 human cases of West Nile virus,
with 24 deaths, reported in 10 states. Eight deaths from West Nile have
been reported in Louisiana, four in Illinois, three in Mississippi, two
each in Georgia and Ohio, and one each in Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri,
New York, and Texas.

Earlier this month, CDC awarded $3.4 million to Louisiana, $1.3 million
to Texas, and $300,000 to Mississippi. These additional awards will go to
Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota,
Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Tennessee,
Wisconsin and the cities of Chicago and Houston.

Additionally, the following cities and states are eligible to apply for
grants: Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia,
Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan,
Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, New York City, North
Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Rhode Island, South
Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming.

In addition to providing financial assistance and sending experts to
communities, CDC maintains its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to
monitor the disease and to provide around-the-clock assistance and
consultation with state and local health officials.

HHS' programs are part of the federal government's multi-department
effort to combat the West Nile virus. The Interagency West Nile Virus
working group -- made up of HHS, the Department of Agriculture, the
Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of the Interior, the
Department of Defense, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the
Department of Commerce -- has been charged by Secretary Thompson to assure
that the there is a coordinated federal response to emergencies related to
mosquito-transmitted diseases.

The working group also is working to share information, enhance
surveillance, identify gaps in current federal approaches to these
diseases and develop methods to support state and local mosquito-control
programs in the United States.

Additionally, USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's
(APHIS) Veterinary Services program investigates suspect cases of
neurologic illness in equines and tests them for West Nile virus
infection. APHIS' Wildlife Services program also plays an integral role in
statewide West Nile virus surveillance efforts, by working on behalf of
several state health departments.

Since the detection of the virus in the United States, APHIS worked to
facilitate the development of an equine vaccine. Last summer, APHIS
granted a conditional license for a West Nile virus vaccine to Fort Dodge
Animal Health, and more than 3 million doses have been distributed
nationwide for equine use.

FEMA also continues to consult with and provide guidance to federal,
state and local partners to assess the public health threat, monitor new
developments and identify resources within federal agencies to slow the
spread of the West Nile Virus.

CDC is operating its public hotlines for questions about West Nile
virus. The English number is 1-888-246-2675; the Spanish hotline is
1-888-246-2857, and the number for the hearing-impaired hotline is
1-866-874-2646.

Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press
materials are available at www.hhs.gov/news.

Additional West Nile Funding Amounts to
States/Cities

City/State

Amount

Alabama

$550,000

Arkansas

$398,397

Chicago

$280.000

Houston

$355,000

Illinois

$400,506

Indiana

$306,058

Iowa

$400,000

Kentucky

$305,970

Minnesota

$348,596

Mississippi

$700,000

Missouri

$548,798

North Dakota

$395,182

Ohio

$310,300

South Dakota

$201,594

Tennessee

$333,000

Wisconsin

$535,000

TOTAL AWARDED

$6,368,401

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CDC protects people's health and safety by preventing and
controlling diseases and injuries; enhances health decisions by providing
credible information on critical health issues; and promotes healthy
living through strong partnerships with local, national and international
organizations.